Points of interest and things to do when you travel. Includes photos, tips and tricks for making the most of each location so you know how much time to spend there and more!
FlyOver Canada is a soaring attraction at Vancouver’s cruise ship terminal that is so similar to Soarin’ that Disney fans might feel a sense of deja vu when riding. In this post, we’ll review FlyOver Canada, assess whether it’s worth your time and money, and offer basic information about the attraction experience. Located in the multi-purpose […]
Bishamondo is a secluded temple in Kyoto, Japan’s Higashiyama Mountains within walking distance of Yamashina Station. Unlike other locations near it, Bishamondo Temple is an uncrowded hidden gem due to it being relatively difficult to access. In this post, we’ll share photos of the temple, info on how to get there, and our brief review […]
Byodoin (平等院, Byōdōin) is a Pure Land Buddhist temple with some of Japan’s most eye-catching architecture. A short train ride from Kyoto on the JR Nara Line, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit. In this post, I’ll share photos from Byodoin (including night shots!), history, info & tips for visiting, and thoughts on […]
Fall foliage is illuminated at Eikando Zenrinji Temple in Kyoto, Japan during a special autumn night lighting. We’ve attended this special event, and will share our experience, night photos of the leaves, and some tips for visiting based upon our observations. With over 3,000 maple trees, this temple is so famous for its fall foliage that it’s […]
Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a Japanese Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s southwestern mountains, comparable to Kiyomizudera or Kuramadera. That’s high praise considering their quality, but this is one of Kyoto’s crown jewels, which is also one of its best “hidden” gems. In this post, we offer info on getting to this off-the-beaten path temple, details about its […]
Katsura Imperial Villa is an exemplar of traditional Japanese architecture and garden design in Kyoto, but can only be visited by joining a guided tour. The good news is that these tours are free (update: from November 1, 2018 there will be a 1,000 yen fee charged per person). The bad news is that advance reservations […]
Kyoto National Museum features traditional Japanese art and rich culture associated with the early capital of Japan. In this post, we’ll share tips for visiting this museum, photos from around the museum, and basic info on what to expect from the rotating gallery of exhibits in Kyoto National Museum. If you’re only going to visit […]
Our top priority when we visited Copenhagen, Denmark was a day at Tivoli Gardens, which is widely considered the original inspiration for Disneyland. In this post, we’ll share our experience at the amusement park, share photos of the design, rides, and whether we think it’s worth your time if you’re visiting Scandinavia. Located in the heart […]
Kokedera, also known as Saihoji, also known as the Moss Temple, is one of the most spectacular places in Kyoto, Japan. It’s one of the most difficult to access UNESCO World Heritage Sites, not because of remote location, but because of a cumbersome mail-only reservation process. Finally, it has gained some recognition as being Steve Jobs […]
Fushimi Inari Taisha is popular for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which draw more tourists than any other temple or shrine in Kyoto, Japan. However, if you go off the beaten path, you can find a secret bamboo forest that rivals the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and without any crowds. In this post, we’ll share photos […]